ONE Championship news roundup

Welcome to today's edition of the daily Sportskeeda ONE Championship News Roundup, where we present the promotion's most important stories.

Today we discuss grappling Marcus ‘Buchecha’ Almeida eyeing a world title shot against Anatoly Malykhin, Aung La N Sang extending his condolences to the Lee family after Victoria Lee’s tragic passing, and ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong announcing the massive Openweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix.

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#3. ‘Buchecha’ aims for world title shot in 2023 against dangerous Russian Anatoly Malykhin

Marcus ‘Buchecha’ Almeida has made strides in his mixed martial arts career and wants to grab a piece of gold this 2023.

The Brazilian jiu-jitsu legend looks to have a colossal showdown against Russian knockout machine Anatoly Malykhin for the ONE heavyweight world title.

During a conversation with MMA Hoje, ‘Buchecha’ said the impact of a potential match against Malykhin under ONE Championship extends beyond the Circle.

“The new champion is Russian right? So I think representing Brazil-United States there against the Russian [Anatoly Malykhin], it would be cool. So I believe he won't lose the belt until he fights me. I believe it will be against him.”

Almeida, a 17-time BJJ world champion, is 4-0 in his MMA career with all four of his wins ending in the first round. His dream fight, though, will have to depend on the outcome of Malykhin’s match against ONE heavyweight world champion Arjan Bhullar.

Malykhin, who holds ONE light heavyweight and interim heavyweight world titles, will have his world title unification match against Bhullar sometime this year.

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#2. Aung La N Sang emotional over Victoria Lee’s passing, sends condolences to Lee family

Burmese legend Aung La N Sang expressed his deep sadness over the tragic passing of rising MMA star Victoria Lee.

The young fighter passed away on December 26, 2022 at 18 years old.

Aung La, during his interview with South China Morning Post, shared how he felt a deep sympathy towards Lee’s father Ken.

“Yeah, I’m heartbroken for Ken [Lee's father]. As a man with a two-year-old daughter, I know the connection you have with your daughter. A father and a daughter is like no love that you can have, and it hurts me, it hurts me just thinking about it, you know?”

The former ONE middleweight and light heavyweight world champion also remembered meeting Lee and how the prodigious fighter interacted with him.

“I met Victoria a year ago and she was so sweet, like the whole family is sweet, you know? But this one is like, it’s a hard one to take. I couldn’t believe it. When I read the post, I had to re-read and re-read and re-read it again, and I just feel for the whole family. Condolences to the Lee family. I can’t even put it to words.”

Catch Aung La's whole interview below:

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#1. ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong announces Openweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix

ONE Championship’s push for Muay Thai just hit a massive crescendo.

ONE Championship CEO Chatri Sityodtong announced during ONE Fight Night 6 on Prime Video press conference that the organization will launch a historic Openweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix.

ONE Championship's grand tournament will feature 16 of the best strikers in the world all vying for a cool US$1,000,000 grand prize.

Sityodtong said during the press conference:

"Fans all over the world, please tell me who you wanna see, do you wanna see Superbon, do you wanna see Rodtang? Who do you wanna see because this is an Openweight Grand Prix.”

ONE Championship is filled to the brim with the world’s top strikers and names such as Rodtang Jitmuangnon, Superbon Singha Mawynn, Regian Eersel, and Nong-O Gaiyanghadao could feature in the tournament.

“I promise you this will blow up the sport all over the world, with our global broadcast, people will be tuning in from all over the world. The very best, the very, very best, irrespective of weight class. Muay Thai world champions will be competing, 16 of the world’s best.”